Whoa, whatta week! We just received four new releases from
our friends at Fantagraphics Books.

First up to bat: the king of wordless comics Jim Woodring! And
no, this isn’t another psychedelic Frank adventure, but rather, a beautiful
collection of Woodring’s sketches from 2004 to 2012. Presented in a
sketchbook format, PROBLEMATIC is a must for all Woodring fans.

Next is Chris Wright’s debut graphic novel BLACK LUNG, a
story about an arrogant teacher forced into a nautical nightmare of thieves and
sailors. This book has been receiving a lot of praise and I can see why, it looks incredible. I can’t wait to read this one.

Then comes a double reissue of LOS TEJANOS and LOST CAUSE from
historian-cartoonist Jack Jackson. Jackson was an important figure in the early
world of underground comics and is even cited by some as the creator of the
first underground comicever, titled God Nose (1964). As a history buff living in
Texas, Jackson produced an impressive body of work on the tragic Anglo/Mexican continental
struggles following the civil war.

Last but not least is Tom Kaczynski’s BETA TESTING THE
APOCALYPSE, described as a “contemporary demonology, an occult theory, a mutant
utopia and an architectural treatise.” In case that wasn’t trippy enough, this
book of short stories is said to include Marxist zombies on Mars, secret societies,
and designer ghosts from the future.